The rubber-coated, foam ball plowed into Tommy Snider’s stomach with such force that his young, lanky body toppled backward. He landed with a painful thump on his tailbone. The red ball rolled harmlessly away.
“Snider!” the PE teacher howled, his face turning red with the force of his yell. “Man up and play ball.”
Within the body of twelve-year-old Noah Spencer, the angel Gabriel reached down to help God from the floor of St. Andrews Middle School.
“Lord, are you all right?” Gabriel asked.
“Noah! You worry about you,” the red-faced teacher yelled.
Another red ball sailed between them.
“You know I am fine, Gabriel. I’ve suffered much worse humiliations than this,” God said through Tommy’s mouth.
Smack. A red ball collided with the side of Gabriel’s head. He rubbed Noah’s aching ear.
“Why must we do this, Lord? Dodgeball? In the bodies of twelve-year-old boys? What good could this possibly accomplish?”
God smacked another red ball aside with Tommy’s small-for-his-age hand. It bounced harmlessly between the targets on the other team and was promptly caught. “Tommy Snider has been bullied all year at St. Andrews. For one afternoon, I wanted to lift his burden. There’s no better day to do that than dodgeball day.”
“But, Lord, we hardly have time for this. Auriel is running the public education system for Lucifer. The things they are teaching the children are horrific. The scales still tip in his favor. We must do something. Perhaps, the next blessing?”
“All in good time, Gabriel.”
Gabriel leapt in front of God to block the next barrage of balls. A welt began to form under Noah’s right eye.
“Lucifer has gone too far,” Gabriel said. “It is time to smite the Watchers with heavenly force. Perhaps another flood? A legion of archangels to reclaim the children?”
God caught a red ball and focused on a particularly snotty-looking boy across the gym. He raised the projectile but did not throw it back.
Gabriel watched as the boy across the gym made eye contact with the Creator and shivered. A dark, wet spot bloomed low on the boy’s blue shorts. The perpetually angry PE teacher uttered a curse and blew his whistle. The game stopped.
“There is a time for force and a time to display quiet strength,” God said, lowering the ball. He turned piercing brown eyes on Gabriel. “Lucifer never did understand the force of peace. You can never combat ignorance with physical force.”
“Then how do we stop this?” Gabriel asked. The boy who’d wet his pants cried openly as the PE teacher ushered him to the locker room with a less-than-compassionate strong-arm. A sea of snickers and pointing fingers followed him.
God sighed. “I hate to do it, but sometimes you have to show a bully for what he is. To combat ignorance, we will impart understanding, specifically discernment of spirits.”
“My lord?”
“If any man or woman receives my gift and then looks upon a Watcher in the light of day, the beast’s illusion shall fall away and the truth of what they are will be exposed.”
“You will remove the power of their illusions? But, Lord, there will be panic. The humans will see them as monsters. Great fear will come to pass. The world will never be the same.”
God nodded. “It is too late for the same. Those who choose evil must see the darkness for what it is, and those who choose good must know walking in the light does not come easily. There is a price, a responsibility that comes with knowing the truth and having a heart of peace and love.”
Gabriel nodded. “As you wish. How shall I deliver this gift to the world?”
God lifted the red ball toward the ceiling. The rubber skin inflated, thinning and rising from the prepubescent hand of Tommy Snider. Transforming into a giant red balloon, the ball sprouted a string as it floated above their heads. “Take this balloon and guide it in the sky above. See that it drifts for all to see.”
“My pleasure.” Gabriel gave a small bow and flew for the window, red balloon in hand.
“Prepare yourself, Gabriel,” God whispered. “The tide is turning. This means war.”
“Shouldn’t you kids be in school?” Mrs. McNaulty handed Jacob his Coke but eyed Malini accusingly.
“Senior ditch day,” Jacob blurted.
Malini widened her eyes at him, then turned her attention to Mrs. McNaulty. “He’s kidding. Of course it’s not senior ditch day; it’s the beginning of the semester.” She smoothed her hands over the table. “Actually, we’re doing a project for our sociology class. It’s part of the new curriculum. You can call the school.” She nodded nervously.
Mrs. McNaulty pursed her lips and drifted off toward the kitchen.
“Do you think she’ll call?” Jacob asked. “We can’t keep doing this, Malini. Someone is going to catch on that we aren’t going to school.”
“Bull. Who’s going to say anything? Since the Watchers brought in the new curriculum, they haven’t exactly taken attendance. If she calls, I bet no one answers the phone.” Malini tucked her hair behind her ears.
“It’s a small town. I’m willing to bet Mrs. M. tells my uncle.” Jacob nodded toward the kitchen.
Nibbling on her lip, Malini took Jacob’s hand. “I’ve been thinking.”
“That’s never a good sign.”
She rolled her eyes. “I’ve been thinking we should tell our families the truth.”
Jacob’s mouth fell open. “Are you crazy?”
“No, Jacob, listen to me. They’re not safe. The town is crawling with Watchers. Every school is crawling with Watchers. They know who we are. I think the only reason they haven’t attacked is they don’t want to blow their cover. But it’s only a matter of time before they figure out who our families are and come for them.”
He shook his head. “So we tell them, and then what? They either think we’re insane, or worse, they believe us but can’t do anything about it but worry.”
“But we can teach them—”
“Oh my God!” Mrs. McNaulty cried from behind the register. She lifted a remote control and turned up the volume on the flat screen hanging on the wall. A local newscaster frowned under a banner that read Special Report. Next to him was a picture of Principal Bailey.
Again, long-beloved principal of Paris High School, John Bailey was found dead today in an apparent animal attack. A memorial service is being planned for the man described as the best educator Paris has ever known. The news of his death was a huge blow to local families, who were trying to have him reinstated after his recent termination. Several families have boycotted the school due to the changes in personnel and curriculum.
Fingers pressed over her lips, Malini’s vision swam.
“They killed him,” Jacob mumbled, staring at the screen. “It wasn’t enough to fire him. They killed him.”
Malini squeezed his hand. “I had a feeling…” She didn’t finish her sentence.
Dane flew through the door and focused on her. “Have you heard? Did you see?”
“Yes, Principal Bailey. So sad,” Malini said.
“No. Not that.” Dane rushed to Mrs. McNaulty, who was still watching the news, stiff and crying. Dane yanked the remote control out of her hands and changed the channel.
“Hey!” she yelled, but when the television tuned in to Dane’s pick of channel, she paled.
On the screen was a shaky cell phone recording of a Watcher. Not an illusion but a black-skinned, leather-winged beast.
Across the country today, people reported seeing strange winged creatures. Scientists are baffled by the sheer number of pictures, videos, and personal anecdotes but have no rational explanation.
Seventy-six-year-old Hazel Yearly had this to say about her sighting. “My neighbor thinks they’re aliens, but I know what they are. They’re demons! Mark my words, this is the end of times. Repent now.”
The newscaster smirked as the woman’s face faded from the screen. Well, whatever they are, the information coming in indicates they hate the sunlight. All residents are encouraged to lock their doors after dusk.
“Lock their doors?” Jacob said. “That’ll work if your door is soaked in holy water.”
“We’ve got to go.” Malini sprang from her seat. Dane handed the remote back to Mrs. McNaulty and followed out the door.
“Where are we going?” Dane asked.
“We’ve got to warn our families and then evacuate Eden.”
“Evacuate?” Jacob pulled up short in the gravel parking lot.
Malini pointed toward the door to McNaulty’s. “That, Jacob, was the second gift. They can’t hide among us any longer. And if I know Lucifer, when he can’t hide, he’s going to fight. Now come on. We’ve got work to do.”
“My aunt and uncle are at the flower shop with my mom today,” Jacob said.
Malini changed direction, crossing the street to Laudner’s Flowers and Gifts. A familiar face stopped her before she reached the door.
“Daddy?”
“Malini,” Mr. Gupta said, pulling her into a hug. “Have you heard? Did you see? I was afraid you were at school!” He kissed the side of her head. “Thank God you are safe. There are monsters… great, leathery”—he held his arms out to his sides and shook his head—“winged creatures. I drove to the school after I heard about Bailey and saw one!”
Malini sighed and took his hand. “Come on in. Call Mom. There’s something I’ve got to tell you.”